Witness the story of a young artist’s journey to becoming a legend of the manga industry! Rivals to defeat, trials to complete, and deadlines to meet– It’s a whirlwind of action, comedy, and drama that blows you away with style.
Synopsis
Garyo Hanagami is a master manga artist. His intensity and god-tier talent have earned him the nickname, “The Dragon.” His flagship series inspires and impresses everyone who reads it; everyone, that is, except for Shinobu Miyama. Shinobu boasts the ability to perfectly emulate any manga art style, but struggles to convey his own original ideas. His nickname is “The Chameleon.”
After a bizarre accident, Garyo and Shinobu switch bodies! Now in the body of “The Chameleon,” Garyo must work his way up from nothing to overthrow Shinobu masquerading as “The Dragon.”
Review
This manga will instantly grab you with its striking visuals and fast pace. Each character is bursting with personality. Unique designs help to set them apart and reflect their personalities. Impressive two-page spreads and evocative composition work wonders to convey the emotions of the scene. Each panel flows seamlessly into the next; it never lingers too long on a single story beat. The fast pace keeps you turning the page. Before you know it, you’ve reached the end and are begging for more.
In some ways, that quick pace does work against the manga. Characters are appealing, but very simple. The large supporting cast means not much time is allotted for backstories, which are usually explored within the span of a few pages. Most characters don’t even get that much. The story, as far as I’ve read, has been easy to follow, with very few surprising twists.
At first, I wondered how much content could be tapped from the premise of manga artists switching bodies, but it has proven to be an exciting read. It’s as if a shonen battle filter was placed over a special interest slice of life. If you enjoy manga like Bakuman., Look Back, or Time Paradox Ghostwriter, check out Dragon and Chameleon.
The first two volumes of Dragon and Chameleon have been translated into English and are available for physical and digital purchase through Square Enix: Manga and Books. They are also available in-store at participating retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kinokuniya.
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